Interested in sustainable living? Start by Recycling!

It conserves natural resources, reduces waste, and helps combat climate change.

While most Queenslanders do a great job recycling, it is not uncommon to find non-recyclable items in yellow-lid bins. This potentially contaminates an entire load of rubbish, resulting in perfectly recyclable waste being sent to landfill.

Landfills have far-reaching environmental consequences. They contribute to air and water pollution, degrade soil quality, destroy precious habitats, and pose health risks to both humans and wildlife.

Proper recycling helps mitigate these disastrous effects by diverting waste from landfill. Instead, materials get reused and reintegrated back into the production cycle.

When it comes to recycling at home, there are a few universal do's and don'ts you should keep in mind.

DO – know the 5 recyclable materials

These common household materials are typically recyclable:

• paper and cardboard (e.g., office paper, egg cartons, toilet rolls, magazines)
• glass (e.g., sauce and jam jars, alcohol, sauce and juice bottles)
• hard plastics (e.g., milk bottles, yogurt tubs, shampoo bottles)
• steel (e.g., food tins, baby formula tins)
• aluminium (e.g., foil scrunched into a fist-sized ball, empty aerosol sprays, drink cans).

Keep in mind recycling capabilities vary by council. It’s important to check with them to ensure which materials are accepted.

You can find your local council here.

DO – keep it loose

Keep your recyclables loose in the bin - they do not need a bin liner or plastic bag.

Non-recyclable materials like food scraps, plastic bags, and other soft plastics create problems during processing, potentially leading to your recyclables being sent to landfill.

DO - compost food waste

Composting is a natural process where organic materials, such as food scraps, and certain paper products, are broken down by microorganisms into nutrient-rich soil. It is a great way to recycle organic waste and help the environment.

When food scraps are thrown in the bin, they end up in landfill releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Composting your food scraps reduces these emissions, all while making great soil for your garden and plants!

DO - reduce, reuse, and recycle

Remember that you always ought to try and find ways to reduce or reuse your items before placing them in your recycling bin. These are more effective approaches to minimising waste.

Opting for reusable items and avoiding single-use products like plastic water bottles and disposable coffee cups is a good first step.

You can also extend the lifespan of items you already have, helping conserve energy and natural resources. You can do this at home by reusing glass jars to store food and using old clothes for cleaning rags.

DON’T - throw away old clothes

Did you know up to 100 billion new garments are made each year, yet only 1% get recycled into new clothes?

The fashion industry is the world’s second-largest industrial polluter after oil. Textiles and fashion waste account for 9% of the ocean’s annual microplastic pollution.

Participating in sustainable fashion practices and promoting upcycling is vital for this reason. Extending the lifespan of your garments effectively reduces the need for new clothes to be produced, reducing waste and energy use.

You can help give your old clothes a new lease on life by donating them. When donating, make sure your clothes are clean and in good condition. Seek out local organisations and charities that accept donations and follow their guidelines.

Otherwise, you could host a clothes swap with friends, sell them online, or set up a stall at a second-hand market.

DON'T - place hazardous materials in the recycling bin

Substances considered hazardous waste exhibit corrosive, flammable, explosive, toxic, or poisonous properties.

At home, this includes items such as batteries, chemicals, and medical waste. They should never be thrown in your yellow-lid bin.

These substances have the potential to cause harm to both humans and the environment, so it’s essential to dispose of them properly.

Check with your local council to see exactly what you need to do.

DO – check the labels

You have probably seen the universal recycling symbol before - a triangle with arrows (known as the Mobius Loop). It's important to keep in mind however, this symbol on a plastic item does not indicate its recyclability.

If you see this symbol wrapped around a number from 1-7 (like in the image above), this is a ‘recycling code’, which helps processing facilities identify what type of plastic an item is. These symbols do not tell you whether something is recyclable.

Instead, on the packaging, look for the Australasian Recycling Label (in the image below). It provides clear information about how to correctly dispose of each component of the item.

Taking a few extra seconds to check labels and sort items correctly can help reduce confusion and prevent recyclable materials ending up in landfill.

If you're uncertain about the recyclability of a specific item or come across conflicting information online, reach out to TerraCycle before disposing it.

TerraCycle collaborates with brands, retailers, and stakeholders to create recycling solutions for items that are not usually recyclable, including toothbrushes, razors, and coffee capsules.

DO – learn the basics

It's important not to guess when it comes to recycling.

Taking the time to understand the options you have can prevent the contamination of an entire bin load. Learn about what each recycling code indicates and what is accepted by your local council.

Only hard plastics, such as milk bottles, yogurt tubs, shampoo bottles, can be placed in your yellow-lid bin. In general, soft plastics like plastic bags, food wrappers, and cling wrap, are not recyclable. That’s why it is recommended you keep your recycling loose, and not place them in plastic bags.

The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) provides clear instructions on how to correctly dispose of waste, including any special instructions to follow, such as scrunching, rinsing, or flattening.

By embracing sustainable living and promoting proper recycling, you can contribute to a more resourceful future for yourself and for the generations to come.

Visit the Queensland Government’s Let’s Get It Sorted page for more information on recycling and responsible waste management.